Socio-Economic Consequences of Urban Sprawl on Agricultural Communities in Bara Kahu Islamabad

Over the last few decades, urban sprawling and agricultural land consumption has been out of control in Pakistan. Pakistan is one of the most rapid urbanizing countries in South Asia. The present study examined the issue of urban expansion in Bara Kahu Islamabad Pakistan, relating the expansion of urban sprawl, loss of agricultural land, and evolution of new socioeconomic impacts on agricultural societies. This study identifies the socioeconomic drivers. Explanatory and qualitative research designs and unstructured questionnaires were used to collect data. A sample of 30 respondents was taken from the population using snowball sampling. Urban sprawl leads to demographic change which leads the younger population to shift to urban areas in search of better economic opportunities, jobs, and employment this leads to aging farmers and a shortage of farm labor. Ultimately, urban sprawl has lots of socioeconomic consequences on agricultural communities, like economic instability, unemployment and health issues. Addressing these issues to make urban planning and policies that balance urbanization with the preservation of agricultural land and rural livelihood.